Claimed by Him

Chapter 26

Later in the evening Amanda sat in the reading room. She was so engrossed in her book that she was reading that she didn't even hear Martha come in. "Hello my dear, great book you're reading, it has all your attention" Martha said with a small laugh. Amanda closed the book and let out a soft laugh. "It definitely does" Martha nodded and started picking up the empty glass that was filled with water.

"By the way Roman asked me if you could meet him in his office"

Amanda placed her book on the coffee table and nodded. "Okay, thank you Martha"

As she made her way to Roman's office, her mind raced with possibilities. She pushed open the door to his office and found Roman sitting behind his desk, his expression dark and serious. She closed the door and took a seat across from him. His eyes were on her and it felt like a burning flame inside her when he looked at her that way.

"You called for me, everything okay?" Her voice, soft and caring.

Roman stood up and walked to stand right in front of her. She had to look up to look at him. He leaned against his desk, hands crossing each other. He didn't want to tell her what he needed to tell her, but he was reminded of that talk they had in the garden. He agreed to be open to her.

"Tomorrow morning I'm taking you to Dimitri and Liliana's place, Alina will also be there"

Amanda furrowed her brows in confusion. "Why?, not that I don't like the idea. I really like them"

Roman's gaze held hers, his expression steady. "James and Tony are planning to ship out containers filled with women and children. Human trafficking. We're going to stop that from happening which is why I want you there knowing you're not alone and that you're safe"

Amanda needed a moment to take that all in. "Human trafficking? That's terrible, how could they do such a thing?!" Roman leaned forward and caressed her cheek. "It's what happens in my world, what kind of people I have to deal with"

Amanda looked up at him and then stood up. She buried her face in chest. Needing to hear the soft rhythm of his heartbeat. The tune that calms her worries. "Please be careful and come back home to us"

Roman held her tight to him. Roman's fingers slid beneath Amanda's chin, tilting her head ever so slightly. His gaze dropped to her lips. "I will moya dusha" Their lips met in a kiss that was both gentle and charged with an electric intensity. Amanda's fingers curled against Roman's chest, her heart racing to the rhythm of their shared breaths. Roman's lips were warm against hers. His touch ignited a fire within her, a spark that travelled from her lips to her very core. As the kiss deepened, Roman's arms enveloped Amanda, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. Their bodies pressed against each other, fitting together as if they were made to be in this embrace.

When they finally pulled away, their breaths were ragged, their eyes locked onto each other Amanda's fingers traced the outline of Roman's jaw, her touch soft like silk.

Roman's voice was a whisper against her lips. "I'll always come back home to you" Amanda's smile was soft but radiant, her heart full of the love that had grown between them. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I have to finish some work, but I'll meet you for dinner" Amanda looked up at him and smiled at him, the one she always reserved for him. The one that would drive him crazy, forever and always.

***

Amanda sat alone in the cozy living room of the estate the comforting glow of the lamps casting a warm ambiance. She looked out the window. She was finally happy that things were getting better between her and Roman. Suddenly the sound of her phone going off snapped her out of the beauty she was admiring outside. It was a no caller ID that called, without thinking much about it she picked her phone. "Hello Amanda speaking"